Aina Nalu hosted the “Bids for Kids” benefit in May. PHOTO BY RAYCHIN.COM.

LAHAINA – Held on a beautiful May evening at the Aina Nalu pavilion, the biennial People for Educational Equality (PFEE) fundraiser “Bids for Kids” achieved its goal of raising $25,000 to present to the Lahaina Complex Tutor Project.

With over 170 tickets sold and $11,000 raised on the auction items, PFEE was grateful for the support shown by the community, particularly Bob and Marla Weiner, who donated $2,500 to help reach the $25,000 goal.

In one of his last performances on Maui, live music was performed by Paul West, whose classic acoustic style guitar was enjoyed by attendees.

PFEE thanked everyone that donated an auction item: A Special Touch, Andre Adoloffo, Andrea Koyama, Andrew Miller Photography, Aston Kaanapali Shores, Atlantis Adventures, Bamboo Beauty Lounge, Body in Balance, Calypso Charters, Cane and Canoe, Captain Jack’s Island Grill, Cheeseburger in Paradise, Cool Cat Cafe, DBI Hawaii Inc., Drums of the Pacific Luau, Duke’s, Enjoy the Ride MAUI, Forensic Analytical Consultants, Frogman Charters, Gerard Gifford, Gerard’s Restaurant, Gina Biondi, Grand Wailea, Gungho Sailing, Hale Napili, Hank and Teri Greenberg, Hawaiian Heritage Farms, Honolulu Cookie Company, Honu Seafood and Pizza, Hula Grill, Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa, Island Spirit Yoga, Jeff and Jill Kaiser, Jeff’s Jams & Jellies, Kaanapali Beach Hotel, Kaanapali Shores 241 LLC, Karen Leis Gallery, Karen Voycik, Kimo’s Restaurant, Kristen Spees Marchello, Kula Ka’i Farms Gardner, Lahaina Coolers, Lahaina Crossfit, Lahaina Fish Co., Lahaina Food and History Tour, Lahaina Grill, Lahaina Pizza, Leilani’s, Malolo Charters, Mama’s Fish House, Marina’s Candles, Maui 3D Real Estate, Maui Arts and Gifts, Maui Brewing Co., MauiGrown Coffee, Maui Nui Golf Course, Maui OnStage, Maui Pineapple Store, Maui Teeth Whitening, Morrison Hotel Gallery, Nalu Koa, Old Lahaina Luau, Pacific Millworks, Pacific Whale Foundation, Paul Scherer, Peggy Robertson, Peter Longhi, Photographer in Paradise, Pizza Paradiso, ProArts Playhouse, Roy’s, Roz Baker, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Safeway, Salon Bella, Sargent’s Fine Art, Sea House Restaurant, The Block, The Gazebo, The Pearl Collection, The Plantation House, Thompson Stonework, Times Supermarket, Trilogy Excursions, Tropic Water, TS Restaurants, Virginia Keene, Warren & Annabelle’s Magic!, Wash It Hawaii, White Lotus Photography, Willamette Valley Vineyards, and Women Who Run with Wolves.

Vendors that donated food or beverages include Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Down the Hatch, Honu Seafood and Pizza, Kaanapali Beach Hotel, Lahaina Fish Co., Maui Brewing Company, Mala Ocean Tavern, Maui Pie Pops, Penne Pasta, Pioneer Inn, Prison Street Pizza, Southern Glazer’s, Take Home Maui and Tropic Water.

PFEE thanked everyone that donated either their time or their goods to make sure the event was run smoothly: 5A Rent-A-Space, Aloha Group Maui-Keller Williams Realty Maui, Angus McKelvey, Coconut Condos, Darin Kahahane, First Hawaiian Mortgage, Fran Mitsumura, Glorin Alboro, Insurance Associates, iTrip Vacations Maui, Julie Decker, Lahaina Restoration Foundation, LahainaTown Action Committee, Maui Chemical and Paper Products, Na Hoaloha Na Eha, Old Republic Title, Paul West, Robin Richie, Sheila Gerbig-Hussey, Tamara Paltin, Alexia Andaya, Althea Viernes, Ariana Pacleb, Barb and Lee Potts, Barbara Newton, Carol Inaba, Cheri Miller, Connie and Phil Flaker, Deb Arakaki, Flo and Galen Wiger, Guy Harshman, Ihilani Garcia, Jane Huff, Jasmin Fujita, Jeanne Smythe, Jessy and Fred Sconfienza, Jesse Neizman, Kaile Badua, Kaito Nishijii, Kelly Lovato, Lance Winston, Leanna Roberts, Lisa Agdeppa, Liz May, Lynn Donovan, Malia Shimomura and HOSA students, Maria Terra, Marla and Bob Weiner, Melissa Salvador, Mihaela Stoops, Nancy Eckman, Pat and Richard Endsley, Ray Chin, Shanel Mangaoang, Sharon and Brian Beach, Sharon Barbers, Sharon Viger, Suni Novotny, Susan Yap, Teresa Nelle, Theo Morrison, and U’ilani Todd.

Finally, a huge mahalo to those who gave cash donations: Aina Nalu Owners, Arleen Gerbig, Andrea Koyama, Beverly DeLorenzo, Chris Braden, DBI Hawaii Inc., Giana Bondi, Hank and Teri Greenberg, Jeanne and Jim Riley Foundation, Jeanette Howard, John and Carol Ewing, Kapu Kumar, Karen Voycik, Kiwanis Club of Kahului, Lynn Kasper, Mary Anne Fitch and Nam Le Viet, Maui on the Fly Baby Gear and Beach Rentals, Nancy Lazar, Noel Munemitsu, Pat Endsley, Patt Saunders, Peggy Robertson, Photographer in Paradise, Robert and Marla Weiner, Roz Baker, Sara Gadarian, Sarah Sorenson, Shelley McDermott Freeman, Vania Jerome and Virginia Keene.

Founded in 2009, PFEE is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to assist and inspire community-driven educational projects and improvements that are sustainable and can have a measurable impact on schools or communities involved.

PFEE’s primary focus is the Lahaina Complex Tutor Project, which was started by Pat and Richard Endsley and has been in operation for 18 years.

Since its involvement, PFEE has donated more than $100,000 to the tutoring program.

For more information on how to get involved with the tutoring program, contact Barb Potts at barb@alohapotts.com.